Coach Bus Prices: How Much Does a Asheville Coach Bus Rental Cost?
Charter bus rental prices in Asheville can range from $170 to $500+ per hour depending on the type of bus, mileage, and time of year. For example, a 56-passenger charter bus typically rents for $185–$375 per hour or $2,200–$3,800 per day, while a 25-passenger minibus costs $170–$325 per hour or $1,800–$3,000 per day. If you’re booking during peak spring wedding season or around major events like LEAF Festival or an Asheville Tourists game, expect higher rates. The best way to get an exact quote is to call our team at 828-920-2610 or use our online quote tool. We’ll build a custom package based on your itinerary, group size, and amenity requests—no hidden fees, just transparent pricing and great service!
Vehicle Type | Per Hour* | Per Day* | Per Mile* |
---|---|---|---|
56-Passenger Coach Bus | $197 – $519 | $1,600 – $3,800 | $5.00 – $8.00 |
25-Passenger Minibus | $165 – $428 | $1,300 – $3,200 | $4.00 – $7.00 |
20-Passenger Minibus | $157 – $414 | $1,300 – $3,100 | $4.00 – $7.00 |
18-Passenger Minibus | $145 – $404 | $1,300 – $3,000 | $4.00 – $7.00 |
*Prices vary and fluctuate with fuel costs, holidays, and availability. Booking early usually secures the lowest rate. For exact pricing, please call our reservations team.
How Much Does a Coach Bus Rental Cost?
Coach bus rentals in Asheville generally cost $185–$375 per hour or $2,200–$3,800 per day. These full-size buses seat 40–56 passengers and are perfect for moving large groups long distances—like taking a school field trip to the Biltmore Estate, shuttling wedding guests to a mountain venue in Black Mountain, or transporting a corporate team to Charlotte for a conference. Coaches come equipped with reclining seats, WiFi, power outlets, restrooms, and plenty of storage space for luggage or equipment. If you need premium amenities like leather interiors or onboard entertainment systems, let us know when you request a quote. We can also provide ADA-accessible coaches with wheelchair lifts at no extra charge.
Minibus rentals are ideal for smaller groups of 15–35 people. Rates start at $170–$325 per hour or $1,800–$3,000 per day. These compact vehicles are great for local shuttles between downtown hotels and breweries, private tours of the River Arts District, or getting your crew to a concert at Rabbit Rabbit without worrying about parking. Minibuses offer comfortable seating, climate control, and optional features like WiFi and USB charging ports. They’re easy to maneuver through Asheville’s narrow streets and can pick up or drop off passengers right at the curb.
What Factors Influence Coach Bus Rental Pricing in Asheville?
There are many factors that go into determining the price of your Asheville bus rental. The most important ones include:
- Travel dates and seasonality: Demand for charter buses peaks during spring (March–May) and fall (September–November) when Asheville hosts major events like the Asheville Marathon, LEAF Festival, and peak foliage season on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Summer is also busy with weddings and outdoor concerts. If you’re traveling during these times, book early to lock in the best rates. Winter (December–February) is generally slower, so you may find lower prices except around holidays.
- Trip distance and duration: We price each trip based on either total mileage or hourly usage, whichever is greater. For example, a simple round-trip transfer from downtown Asheville to the Omni Grove Park Inn (about 5 miles each way) might be billed hourly, while an all-day excursion to Charlotte (130 miles each way) would be priced by the mile. The longer the bus is in service, the higher the cost—so multi-day tours will cost more than short local shuttles.
- Type and size of bus: Full-size 56-passenger coaches are more expensive than 25-passenger minibuses because they offer more seating, amenities, and luggage capacity. However, it’s usually cheaper to rent one large bus than two smaller ones if you have a big group. We also offer specialty vehicles like party buses, sprinter vans, and ADA-accessible buses—each with its own pricing structure.
- Pickup location: If your trip starts outside of Asheville city limits (e.g., Hendersonville, Waynesville, or even Greenville, SC), we may need to charge extra for “deadhead” miles to get the bus to your pickup point. Keeping your itinerary within Buncombe County will help minimize these costs.
- Amenities and special requests: Standard features like reclining seats, climate control, and onboard WiFi are included in the base price. If you require premium upgrades such as leather upholstery, individual power outlets, PA systems for guided tours, or extra luggage trailers for camping gear, please specify these when booking so we can provide an accurate quote.
- Driver accommodations: For overnight trips, you are responsible for providing a hotel room for the driver. This should be a single-occupancy room at a mid-range hotel (e.g., Holiday Inn, Hampton Inn) close to the bus parking area. If the driver’s rest period is interrupted due to lack of proper accommodation, it may affect your schedule and incur additional charges.
- Tolls, parking, and permits: Any road tolls (such as on I-26 or I-40), parking fees at venues (like the Harrah’s Cherokee Center), or special permits required for accessing restricted areas (e.g., Blue Ridge Parkway overlooks) are not included in the base rate and will be billed separately. Please factor these into your budget.
To get an exact price for your trip, call Asheville Coach Bus Service anytime at 828-920-2610 or fill out our online form with your itinerary details. We’ll send you a personalized quote in minutes!
Sample Trip Pricing Examples
Below are a few sample pricing examples for common trips in Asheville, NC and around North Carolina. Please note that these are estimates and your actual price may vary based on your specific needs and travel dates.
Asheville Wedding Shuttle to the Farm in Candler

A wedding planner is organizing guest transportation for a Saturday evening ceremony at The Farm in Candler, about 20 minutes west of downtown Asheville. She books two 25-passenger minibuses to run continuous shuttles between the venue and a block of hotels on Tunnel Road from 3:00 PM to 11:00 PM (8 hours total). Each minibus is quoted at $225 per hour x 8 hours = $1,800, for a total of $3,600. This includes standby time during the reception and multiple trips to ensure all guests arrive and depart safely. The planner tips each driver $100 at the end of the night.
Corporate Retreat at Lake Junaluska Conference Center

An Asheville tech company is hosting a two-day offsite at Lake Junaluska Conference Center in Haywood County. They charter one 56-passenger coach bus to transport employees from their office in Biltmore Park to the conference center, departing at 8:00 AM on Monday and returning at 5:00 PM on Tuesday. The bus stays overnight at the venue (with a hotel room provided for the driver). Total distance is 30 miles each way x 2 days = 120 miles, plus 16 hours of service. The quote is $2,400 for the first day, $2,400 for the second day, plus $150 for overnight driver accommodation, totaling $4,950. Amenities include onboard WiFi, power outlets, and undercarriage storage for luggage.
Bachelorette Party Bus to Sierra Nevada Brewery

A group of 12 friends is celebrating a bachelorette weekend with a private party bus tour of local breweries. They book a 15-passenger sprinter limo for 6 hours on a Friday night, starting with pickups in West Asheville, then stops at New Belgium, Highland Brewing, and Sierra Nevada in Mills River before returning downtown. The rate is $250 per hour x 6 hours = $1,500. The sprinter comes equipped with wraparound seating, Bluetooth sound system, LED lighting, and space for coolers. The group splits the cost evenly and tips the driver $75 for excellent service.
School Field Trip to Biltmore Estate

A Buncombe County middle school is taking 45 students and 5 chaperones on a field trip to the Biltmore Estate. They rent one 50-passenger charter bus for a full day (8:00 AM to 4:00 PM), with pickup and drop-off at the school. The daily rate is $2,200, which includes all mileage, driver wages, and onboard restroom. The school receives a discounted rate as a public education institution. Parking at Biltmore is free for buses, but the group is responsible for purchasing admission tickets separately. The PTA covers the cost of the bus and collects donations to tip the driver $50.
Day Trip to Charlotte for Panthers Game

Four friends want to see the Carolina Panthers play at Bank of America Stadium, but don’t want to drive or worry about parking. They decide to rent a sprinter van to take them from Asheville to Charlotte and back in one day. The game starts at 1:00 PM, so they leave Asheville at 8:00 AM and return by 9:00 PM. The total distance is about 260 miles round trip, and the rental lasts 13 hours. They get a quote for $2,340, which covers the vehicle, driver, fuel, and tolls. They split the cost four ways, making it $585 each. They also tip the driver $100 for waiting during the game.
Multi-day College Tour Across North Carolina

A high school guidance counselor is organizing a three-day college tour for 30 juniors and seniors to visit UNC Chapel Hill, NC State, and Duke University. They charter a 35-passenger minibus with reclining seats, WiFi, and a PA system for announcements. The itinerary includes departures from Asheville, overnight stays in Raleigh and Durham, campus tours at each university, and meals at local restaurants. Total mileage is approximately 600 miles round trip, with 10 hours of driving per day. The quote is $2,500 per day x 3 days = $7,500, plus $300 for two nights of hotel rooms for the driver. The school pays all expenses and provides a $200 gratuity at the end of the trip.